I have a 1997 E4WD, and I am pulling the motor. I have a 1994 Ford Aerostar service manual. When I got to the point of removing the fan clutch, the service manual warned me in bold print that it was left hand threads. I tried several different removal wrenches from the auto parts store. I made several trips back and forth to get different wrenches because it was so tight the wrenches were rounding off the nut. I finally decided to see if it could possibly be a right hand thread. Bingo!, the nut came right off.
It appears that the water pump rotation (and therefore the threads) changed directions when they went to a serpentine belt and the manual was never changed. I just though I would mention it so others would not waste time like I did.
If the thread is left-handed, there sould be a warning right there on top of the plastic fan shroud. If there is nothing there, the thread is right-handed.
My '93 3.0L has left-handed thread, but my '95 4.0L has the normal right-handed thread.
If the thread is left-handed, there sould be a warning right there on top of the plastic fan shroud. If there is nothing there, the thread is right-handed.
My '93 3.0L has left-handed thread, but my '95 4.0L has the normal right-handed thread.
Does your '93 use V-belts? Does the '95 use a serpentine? What direction do the fans turn?
The '93 3.0L water pump rotates clock-wise looking in from the front, hence it requires the left-hand thread so the fan will tend to tighten it while the engine is running.
The '95 4.0L water pump rotates counter-clockwise, hence the right-hand thread.
Engines that use the serpentine belt routing will have a reverse rotating water pump. Those pumps that use a single snout nut will have right hand threads so they don't loosen up during normal operation. The pumps that use more direct belt routing and the snout nut will have the reverse thread for the same reason.
The fan shroud on my 4 liter v6 has words to the effect that the water pump nut is right hand threaded, cast into the plastic in raised letters. I've seen similar writings on shrouds for 3 liter engines that say they are revese thread. These engines have used direct belt routing for much longer than the 4 liter engines, so most of them will have the reverse thread.
This may be no surprise, but this is not the only time that service manuals have been wrong.
You know what? I'm getting ready to go to an electric fan. Left hand threads-right hand threads --when you change over WHO CARES RIGHT? I have found that the nissan and mazda cars offer two small electric fans that can be relocated to the radiator of the Aero either by zip ties or the mounting facia that the rice burners have. If you look at other reports of conversions you get a noticable power boost as well. When I finish my application I'll either let you know or post some pics of my conversion.--Boz
Copper,
Can you elaborate on the Taurus fans? I'd like to convert too. I think thermostatically controlled electric fans will let the van warm up faster than cardboard in the radiator.
The old Taurus fans draw a really large amount of air. Go for the old ones on the 3.8L, not the 3.0L. Also, old style Taurus has a one fan configuration which fits the Aerostar much better than the two-fan configuration for later models. It basically has three wires. One is the ground wire, one is 12V for the high speed and one is 12V for the low speed. I can pull one from the junkyard here for about $15 in a few minutes. As for the controllers, I bought them on Ebay, and they are really great. I have had them for a long time now and I'm very happy. I don't remember the manufacturer's name, but I can check it for you.
I'll see if I can take some pictures for you tonight.
About warming up faster, maybe, but I wouldn't count on it. The natural forced air seems pretty good for these vans. The fans rarely even went on, unless I turned on the AC, in which case they are forced on high speed. I can drive to work on the freeway, a 30-mile trip and the fan won't even go on once! They do go on briefly during city traffic, but pretty rare.
I had a GMC Syclone (V-6, turbocharged) and took the original very noisy, power robbing fan off the water pump and installed an electric fan. It was great until the dog days of summer came along. The electric fan moved much less air. And at times, because it had a thermostat, it did not run at all. Because of this the under hood temperatures went way up. On hot days, I could actually smell the rubber vacuum lines and other rubber under the hood breaking down. I put the original fan back on and just put up with it.
I think the Aerostar under hood temps can get quite high too as it is. You might run into the same problem if you live in a hot summer climate.
Copper, do you have any more info on the Taurus fan setup? You said a single fan from and older model 3.8 right? What shroud did you use? Controller? I'm making this a late winter project.
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